According to A Bola, Arsenal are lining up a bid for Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani this summer. The 28-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season in the Portuguese Liga, and is attracting the interest of a number of clubs as a result. Arsenal are keen to bolster their attack after having failed in their bid to sign Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, and Slimani could be available for €30M.

The Algerian international scored 27 league goals in 33 games for Sporting last season, and has been a prolific scorer for his country too, bagging 23 in 43 games for the national team. He’ll be best remembered for his 2014 World Cup antics with Algeria, scoring two goals in three group games, and may finally be on his way to the Premier League if rumours are to be believed.

A long-term injury suffered by Danny Welbeck has forced Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to sign another striker in the transfer market. Olivier Giroud is the Gunners’ only natural replacement in the first-team, so it’s expected that another centre-forward will be joining the ranks this summer. Slimani is a brilliant header of the ball, and also adept with the ball at his feet.

He’s been ruthless inside the penalty area this season, and would provide good competition for Giroud. The 28-year-old also has the physical presence, so Arsenal would have two strikers providing similar threats on the pitch if they did trigger the striker’s €30M release clause this summer.